The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
Category: Music
What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?
Hundreds of versions exist of Bobby Troup's song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," better known simply as "Route 66," that he wrote during a cross-country trip on that highway after World War II. Route 66 News has posted dozens of versions of the "Route 66" song. It's time to take stock and see which version … Continue reading What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?
Natalie Cole, R.I.P.
Natalie Cole, a daughter of music legend Nat King Cole who became a music star in her own right, died Thursday of heart failure. She was 65. Cole earned several platinum albums and nine Grammy awards during her career, but she probably will be best known for her smash-hit "Unforgettable" album, where studio wizardry allowed her to … Continue reading Natalie Cole, R.I.P.
66 Bowl lanes being made into electric guitars
The 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City closed more than five years ago. But its bowling lanes live on in the form of limited-edition electric guitars by a well-known builder in Nashville. Bobby Clark of Dr. Mojo Guitars has created the 66 Bowl solid-body electric guitar from the original pine lanes. The custom-made guitars, which resemble a Fender … Continue reading 66 Bowl lanes being made into electric guitars
An oldie with the Dixie Chicks
The YouTube account that posted this today proclaims this 20-plus-year-old clip as "rare." I see no reason to disbelieve that. It's Ray Benson of the western swing band Asleep At the Wheel singing "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" with an early edition of the Dixie Chicks on the "American Music Shop" television show, which … Continue reading An oldie with the Dixie Chicks
New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
Give credit where credit's due -- Soul City along 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa decided to go old-school with a new neon sign, and it succeeded. Soul City -- which is a combination art studio, jewelry store, vintage furnishings supplier, restaurant and nightclub -- recently installed this terrific-looking neon sign that's a great … Continue reading New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
Trains return to Erick for the first time in years
Residents of Erick, Oklahoma, saw a passenger train come through their town for the first time in nearly 50 years Friday as Farmrail commemorated the opening of rail service between there and the fellow Route 66 town of Sayre, Oklahoma, for a fracking-sand manufacturer, according to The Oklahoman newspaper. The passenger train was just for … Continue reading Trains return to Erick for the first time in years
New Mexico won’t maintain Route 66’s Singing Road
The New Mexico Department of Transportation won't keep up the so-called Singing Road on Route 66 east of Albuquerque because the agency has more-pressing matters, reported KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. The singing road is a set of rumble strips on the edge of Route 66 just west of the Sandia Mountain village of Tijeras. When the … Continue reading New Mexico won’t maintain Route 66’s Singing Road
“Route 66” from behind the wheel
If you're going to perform Bobby Troup's song about cruising the Mother Road, what better way to do it while behind the wheel? They are the Blues Point Vocal Group of Australia, who clearly take a lot of stylistic inspiration from the Manhattan Transfer. Route 66 from George Washingmachine on Vimeo. The advent of small … Continue reading “Route 66” from behind the wheel
23,000 attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
About 23,000 people visited downtown Springfield, Missouri, during the past weekend's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, only in its fifth year of existence. About 5,000 also attended the Route 66 parade during the festival, according to city officials cited Sunday by KSPR-TV in Springfield. More than 400 entries were in the parade. Business owners, including … Continue reading 23,000 attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival